The Triple X range of short scale tenor banjos where manufactured by the William Lange Company famous for producing the Paramount range of banjos. These early models were built between 1924 – 1926 and available in tenor, plectrum, 5 string and short scale with versions in 4 styles namely A, B, C, D & professional. The 17 fret short scale were the most popular Triple-X banjos as they were introduced in the days of the tenor banjo ‘tango’ craze in the mid-1920s. The headstock inlay may arguably be similar in sophistication (or even slightly less so) but  the fretboard inlays are quite beautiful and almost at the level of the Professional. The neck is constructed from maple with mahogany wood centre strip.

The Triple-X Banjo Tone

If there is one thing the Triple-X banjo is known for is its unique, balanced, and harmonious tone. They were scientifically constructed with tone production in mind.  The Lange Triple-X tone-ring system is nothing like anything that was produced before 1924. The tone chamber has twenty separate 7/8 inch (internal) diameter tone tubes that support a hollow rolled tone ring on which the banjo head is stretched over producing a clear bell tone. These tubes rise above the banjo pot about one inch high and carry forth down through the pot into the sound chamber, being flush with the pot. The maple pie crust resonator amplifies the sounds from the tone chamber adding to the unique sound, and can be removed if you prefer playing as a open back banjo.

Features

• Maple/mahogany centre neck with figured maple binding
• Beautiful mother of pearl (MOP) inlay to headstock and fret board position markers
• Geared tuners
• New Remo clear head
• Vintage case
• New strings and handmade ‘Hunter’ bridge
• Fitted with a rare Waverly slide tail piece

For Sale £850

Photos coming soon

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1920’s short scale 17 fret tenor banjo from New York banjo builder Michael Iucci. This looks like an earlier model in comparison to the high end models he made. I have owned 2 other Iucci banjos and provided a little history on the family business in this link so you may compare models. This open-back features Iucci’s patented tone ring suspended on clamps on a 12″ birdseye maple rim, which delivers some punch and sustain. The rim has 22 shoes, hooks and nuts and fitted with a modern clamp shell tail piece. The neck is straight with good frets and made from birdseye maple. The extended fret board is a nice touch, with 17 frets and diamond position markers. The headstock has nice MOP inlay with a little harp and bearing the Iccci name. The banjo is fitted with modern geared tuners. The banjo doesn’t come with a case.

For Sale £585